Taal Volcano sulfur dioxide emissions drop, quakes continue

Taal Volcano crater —SCREENGRAB: PHIVOLCS FACEBOOK

LUCENA CITY, QUEZON, Philippines — Taal Volcano in Batangas province emitted lower levels of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) but continued to show signs of unrest, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported on Wednesday, May 6.

In its bulletin, Phivolcs said sulfur dioxide emissions from the main crater dropped to 308 metric tons over the past 24 hours, classified as “weak.” This was lower than the 590 metric tons recorded from May 1 to 5.

Despite the decline in gas emissions, the volcano remained seismically active, with nine volcanic earthquakes recorded during the latest monitoring period.

Eleven quakes were logged the previous day, while 20 were recorded on May 4—significantly higher than the nine events noted over the preceding three days.

READ: Taal Volcano unrest intensifies with surge in quakes

No upwelling of hot volcanic fluids was observed in the main crater lake on Taal Volcano Island, located at the center of Taal Lake. No volcanic smog, or “vog,” was also detected.

Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 1, indicating low-level unrest.

Phivolcs reiterated that entry to Taal Volcano Island, boating on the lake, and flying aircraft near the volcano remain strictly prohibited. /cb